In a significant blow to the remnants of terrorist forces in Northeast Nigeria, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai executed a precision air interdiction mission on August 16, 2024, targeting key terrorist strongholds in Arina, Southern Tumbuns, Borno State. This operation, strategically aimed at crippling the operational capacity of the terrorists, resulted in the elimination of several high-profile commanders, a move that is expected to tilt the balance in favor of the Nigerian military.
According to Zagazola Makama, a renowned security analyst and counterinsurgency expert who share the news on his official social media X channel, the airstrike was carried out following a series of meticulously planned intelligence operations. Initial intelligence reports had uncovered the clandestine movement of terrorists into Southern Tumbuns from nearby areas, prompting the military to intensify surveillance efforts. Confirmatory Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions conducted on August 12 and 15, 2024, provided critical data, revealing the presence of numerous terrorists and active structures cleverly concealed under dense tree cover.
Armed with this actionable intelligence, the Nigerian Air Force launched a coordinated airstrike, successfully engaging the targets with devastating precision. The operation led to the obliteration of several terrorist hideouts, including critical infrastructure such as equipment, vehicles, water vessels, and a suspected medical dispensary used by the insurgents.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) reports from the aftermath of the strike confirmed that the air assault was highly effective, neutralizing over 35 foot soldiers and dealing a fatal blow to the leadership of the terrorist group. Among those believed to have been killed or severely injured in the strike were five notorious terrorist commanders: Munzir Arika, Sani Dilla (Dan Hausawan Jubillaram), Ameer Modu, Dan Fulani Fari Fari, and Bakoura Arina Chiki. The elimination of these figures is expected to create a significant leadership vacuum within the terrorist ranks, further weakening their ability to launch coordinated attacks.
This successful operation underscores the Nigerian Air Force’s unwavering commitment to the nation’s security and its determination to eradicate terrorism from the region. Air Vice Marshal Edward Gabkwet, the Director of Public Relations and Information for the Nigerian Air Force, reiterated that the force remains resolute in its mission to support the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other security agencies in their efforts to restore peace and security in the region.
As the nation continues to confront the challenges posed by terrorism, operations like these serve as a testament to the effectiveness of the military’s strategic approach and the importance of intelligence-led warfare in achieving lasting peace.
PIONEER NEWS 